28 November 2025PlanetF1Race reportReactions
Hulkenberg Cleared by FIA After Piastri Incident in Qatar Sprint Qualifying
Nico Hulkenberg has been cleared by the FIA after an investigation into an incident with Oscar Piastri during sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix. Despite being summoned, stewards found the Sauber driver did not impede any competitor or drive unsafely, allowing him to retain his 14th grid position without penalty for the sprint race.
Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg has avoided a penalty following an investigation into an incident with McLaren's Oscar Piastri during sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix. The FIA concluded that Hulkenberg did not impede any driver nor drive unsafely, despite an initial summons.
Why it matters:
- In the high-stakes world of F1 qualifying, even minor procedural infringements can lead to significant grid penalties, impacting a team's race weekend. Hulkenberg's clearance means Sauber retains its starting position for the sprint race, a small but important victory for a midfield team.
- This decision underscores the stewards' detailed review process, considering dynamic track conditions and driver reactions rather than just initial observations.
The Details:
- Hulkenberg qualified 14th in the sprint qualifying session at Lusail, where Oscar Piastri secured pole position.
- The incident occurred when Hulkenberg followed Piastri onto the track, maintaining an 'appropriate gap'.
- Sequence of Events:
- Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin approached, causing Piastri to slow down.
- This reduction in Piastri's speed significantly narrowed the gap between Piastri and Hulkenberg.
- Hulkenberg then judiciously slowed down himself to re-establish the original gap to Piastri, avoiding a potentially dangerous close-following situation.
- Stewards' Findings: The FIA's report, after reviewing data, video, and team radio, confirmed that Hulkenberg did not impede any other driver and did not operate his car in an unsafe manner.
What's next:
- With the incident now behind him, Hulkenberg will focus on tomorrow's sprint race, hoping to capitalize on any opportunities for a better finish.
- He noted that a wide moment on his last lap in qualifying didn't cost him much, suggesting the car's current performance is around the 14th mark.
- Despite other drivers' complaints about grip, Hulkenberg found the grip level 'very high' and the track 'mighty quick,' indicating confidence in the conditions for the upcoming race sessions.